Pope calls for release of Colombian bishop kidnapped by rebels

Published: 2004-07-27

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II called for the immediate release of a kidnapped bishop held by armed rebels in the mountainous jungles of northeastern Colombia. "With sadness and concern, the Holy Father has heard news of this unjustifiable criminal act and asks with paternal firmness for the bishop's liberation without delay," said Passionist Father Ciro Benedettini, vice director of the Vatican press office. In a written statement released July 27, the Vatican spokesman called it "extremely distressing and objectionable" for a bishop to be "impeded from freely exercising his pastoral ministry in such a despicable manner." Bishop Misael Vacca Ramirez of Yopal was kidnapped July 24 along with two other priests while on a pastoral visit in the town of Morcote. The mayor of Nunchia also was kidnapped by the same group of armed abductors. After the two priests and the city official were released the next day, they told local media that the captors belonged to the leftist rebel group, the National Liberation Army, known as ELN, its acronym in Spanish.

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